Fire above grill restaurant in Kortrijk is said to have been lit

A fire broke out in a bedroom above a grill restaurant along Zwevegemsestraat in Kortrijk last night. There was a man present in the building who could not escape in time due to the smoke and flames.

Ladder not long enough

He tries to climb out through a balcony on the upper floor, but he is stuck there. Local residents try to help with a ladder, but it is not long enough. (Read more below the photo.)

The fire service can eventually free the man. He was taken to hospital due to smoke intoxication.

The public prosecutor’s office says that a suspect is being brought before the investigating judge on suspicion of arson. The public prosecutor’s office does not want to say anything about the identity of the suspect for the time being.